Jodhpur factory blasts: 14 firefighters hurt, 4 critical after chemical drum explosions
Synopsis
A phenol drum explosion mid-operation turned a routine factory fire into a crisis for Jodhpur's fire brigade — 14 firefighters burned, 4 critical, 3 on ventilators, and the blaze reignited hours after being 'controlled'. The handicraft factory in a residential colony was reportedly storing flammable chemicals, raising sharp questions about industrial safety oversight in Rajasthan.
Key Takeaways
14 firefighters suffered burn injuries in chemical drum explosions at a handicraft factory in Jodhpur's Basni area on 24 September 2026 .
4 firefighters are in critical condition; 3 of them are on ventilator support at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital .
2 factory employees sustained burns across approximately 90 per cent of their bodies.
A stone reportedly struck a phenol drum, triggering explosions that hurled burning chemicals up to 300 metres .
An Indian Air Force fire brigade team was called in after 11 pm ; the fire reignited at 7 am Thursday after first being controlled at 5 am .
Police have registered a case and are seeking to question factory owner Rajendra Agrawal ; a municipal investigation into safety compliance is underway.
Fourteen firefighters sustained burn injuries — four of them critically — when chemical-filled drums exploded at a handicraft factory in Jodhpur's Basni area on Wednesday, 24 September 2026, as crews battled a major blaze at the facility in Ganesh Nagar Shramik Colony. Three of the four critically injured personnel are on ventilator support, while two factory employees have suffered burns across nearly 90 per cent of their bodies.
How the Fire Started and Escalated
The fire broke out at approximately 5:30 pm on Wednesday at the handicraft factory. According to officials, a stone reportedly fell from the factory roof onto a drum containing phenol, triggering a powerful explosion that scattered burning chemicals as far as 300 metres, catching firefighters operating near the drums. The presence of chemical-filled drums and thinners inside the factory severely complicated the operation.
Municipal Corporation Chief Fire Officer Jalaj Ghasia confirmed that 10 fire tenders from different stations were deployed following the initial alarm, with around 35 firefighters involved in the overall operation. The intensity of the blaze prompted authorities to call in an Indian Air Force fire brigade team after 11 pm on Wednesday.
A Night of Multiple Flare-Ups
The blaze was brought under control around 5 am on Thursday after nearly 12 hours of continuous firefighting. However, the fire reignited at approximately 7 am, forcing fire brigade personnel back to the site. The flames were subdued a second time, though smoke continued to rise from the factory until around 11 am on Thursday.
With ambulances unavailable at the scene, injured firefighters were transported to AIIMS Jodhpur in fire brigade vehicles and pickup trucks by their own colleagues. After initial treatment, all 14 injured firefighters were shifted to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, which established a separate ICU for them, as AIIMS does not have a dedicated burn unit.
What Authorities Said
Police Commissioner Anshuman Bhomia confirmed that flammable chemicals and thinners were in active use at the factory at the time of the fire. He stated that four of the fourteen injured firefighters are in critical condition, with three on ventilator support, and that two factory workers sustained burns over approximately 90 per cent of their bodies.
Basni SHO Nitin Dave said a case has been registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the Chief Fire Officer. Police are making efforts to summon factory owner Rajendra Agrawal for questioning. A Municipal Corporation team has also launched an investigation into the factory's operations and has requisitioned its documents.
Safety Failures Under Scrutiny
Sursagar MLA Devendra Joshi visited the site on Thursday and flagged concerns about the operation of such a factory within a residential area, calling it 'a challenge for the Rajasthan administration.' He said he would raise the matter with the administration and seek a survey of the surrounding area to help prevent similar incidents.
Residents of the workers' colony have also raised an alarm, with at least one resident claiming that complaints about the factory had been filed previously but no action was taken. The administration's investigation is expected to examine the factory's permissions, chemical storage practices, safety arrangements, and the precise circumstances of the explosion. Notably, this incident underscores the recurring risk posed by industrial units operating within dense residential zones without adequate safety oversight.
Point of View
Apparently without triggering regulatory intervention despite prior complaints, is a systemic failure, not a freak event. The fact that injured firefighters had to be ferried to hospital in fire brigade pickup trucks because ambulances were unavailable adds another layer of institutional collapse. Unless the investigation pins accountability on both the factory owner and the officials who allegedly ignored earlier complaints, this will remain one more incident that generates headlines without changing the conditions that caused it.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the explosions at the Jodhpur factory fire?
According to officials, a stone reportedly fell from the factory roof onto a drum containing phenol during firefighting operations, triggering a powerful explosion. The factory was also storing other flammable chemicals and thinners, which caused several additional drums to explode during the blaze.
How many firefighters were injured and what is their condition?
Fourteen firefighters sustained burn injuries in the Jodhpur factory explosions. Four are in critical condition, and three of those four are on ventilator support. All 14 are receiving treatment in a dedicated ICU at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur.
Has anyone been arrested or charged in connection with the Jodhpur factory fire?
A case has been registered based on a complaint filed by Chief Fire Officer Jalaj Ghasia. Police are currently making efforts to summon factory owner Rajendra Agrawal for questioning. No arrest has been confirmed in reports so far.
Why was the Jodhpur factory fire so difficult to control?
The presence of chemical-filled drums and thinners inside the factory made the operation exceptionally hazardous. The blaze burned for nearly 12 hours before being first controlled, then reignited. Authorities ultimately had to call in an Indian Air Force fire brigade team to assist the 35 firefighters already deployed.
What investigation is under way following the Jodhpur factory blasts?
A Municipal Corporation team has launched an investigation into the factory's operations and requisitioned its documents. Officials are examining how chemicals were stored and whether the factory met safety and regulatory requirements. Sursagar MLA Devendra Joshi has said he will raise the matter with the Rajasthan administration and push for a safety survey of the residential area.
